Perrenials

Perennials give us a thrilling show of brilliant blooms for one or two seasons each year. When their flowers fade, their foliage continues to contribute color, texture and interest to the garden. A well planned, well planted perennial garden will be enjoyed for many years. Let us help you make the choices that will give you the garden you’ve dreamed of.

Some of our most popular perennials include:

Ageratum

Autumn Sage

tolerant; sun

Bicolor Iris

Blue Plumbego

Cigar Plant

Coneflower

Firebush

Lantana

Mexican Bush Sage

Mexican Heather

Mexican Honeysuckle

Mexican Petunia

Mist Flower

Oxalis

Phlox

Purple Cone Flower

Rock Rose

Ruellia

Salvia

Shrimp Plant

Society Garlic

Summer Phlox

Turks Cap

Verbena

Wedelia

Tips for planting Perennials

1) Site Preparation – Plant perennials as soon as possible after you bring them home.

Choose a location with good drainage

Prepare the area by loosening and turning under the soil to a depth of 8”

Rake out large clumps of grass and large stones

Test your soil for specific nutrient needs.

2) Prepare for Plant Selection – Our sales associates are here to help you make your selections and there is some information that will help with the selection process.

Measure the bed area, the amount of sunlight the area gets and how well the soil drains in the beds

If possible, take a picture of the area

Then come in and discuss your options with one of our sales associates. We’ll help with suggestions and ensure you’re making the best choices for your area.

3) Amend your soil – Healthy soil promotes healthy plants, which are more insect and disease resistant. There are many short and long term benefits to well amended soil in your garden and landscaping. For best results, you want to enrich your soil with the following organic soil amendments.

One part peat moss to two parts existing soil, or

One part each garden soil, peat moss, and compost

Also, add a handful per plant of organic, balanced fertilizer like Flower Power or Plant-Tone. Mix or till these materials into the soil prior to planting.

4) Planting

Dig the hole for each plant twice the size of the container the perennial comes in.

Remove the plant from the container and lightly loosen the roots so the plant will grow out of its tightly wrapped ball and settle in more quickly.

Refill the hole with enriched soil so you set plants into holes at their original growing level. Never bury a plant deeper than its crown (where the roots and the stems meet). Buried crowns mean suffocated plants.

Plant 2” higher than the ground level if you going to mulch

Backfill the rest of the hole with enriched soil and pack it down to remove any large air pockets.

5) Water well and thoroughly with a soft trickle of water that lasts long enough to saturate the root ball deep into the soil. Your plant will typically require 1” of water each week, in one application. Always monitor the soil moisture to help you judge when the plant needs more water.

Seasonal Care for Perennials

1) Spring Mulching When you start to see growth in spring, add mulch to soil around plants. Do not cover crowns. Use grass clippings, shredded leaves, compost, wood chips, etc. Mulch keeps the soil moist and roots cool, It also prevents weed growth and adds a layer of humus which will aid future growth.

2) Pruning When your plants have finished blooming, remove dead flower heads and stalks, to prevent the plants from setting seed and to preserve their strength. Apply a slow-release fertilizer to keep foliage growing. This will assure healthy growth and promote nice blooms the following year.

3) Trimming Some perennial plants die back to the roots in the fall. Cut stems back 3-4” above the crowns. The clump will allow for new growth in the early spring.